ICPC links luxury properties in Egypt to el-Rufai
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reportedly traced several high value real estate properties in Egypt to Nasir El-Rufai.
According to findings, the assets were uncovered during an ongoing investigation into El-Rufai’s tenure as governor of Kaduna State.
The former governor has not yet issued a direct response to the latest claims. However, he has consistently maintained his innocence since his arrest, insisting that the probe is politically motivated.
Sources familiar with the investigation said the properties include three villas and six apartments located in upscale neighbourhoods of Cairo.
Property checks indicate that villas in Arabilla Estate and Banafsik Estate, both in New Cairo, typically sell for between one million and 1.3 million dollars. Apartments in Cairo Festival City are estimated to cost about 500,000 dollars each.
Investigators believe the properties were purchased between 2021 and 2023 while El-Rufai was serving his second term as governor.
Properties allegedly linked to El-Rufai
- 1 villa in Arabilla Estate, Fifth Settlement Area, New Cairo
- 1 villa in Banafsik Estate, First Settlement Area, New Cairo
- 1 villa in Oriana II, New Cairo near the American University
- 4 apartments in Cairo Festival City, New Cairo
- 2 apartments in Oriana Estate, New Cairo
Previous claim of owning only one house
In a 2023 Hausa interview, El-Rufai had stated that he owned only one house and had not acquired mansions or luxury properties.
“I became governor with only one house on Danja Street in Unguwan Sarki, Kaduna. After completing my tenure, that remains my only house. I did not build a mansion and I do not need one,” he said at the time.
Ongoing investigations
The ICPC is probing the former governor over alleged financial misconduct during his administration from 2015 to 2023.
El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18. A day after his arrest, operatives reportedly searched his residence in Abuja where wire tapping equipment was said to have been discovered.
Before his detention by the ICPC, he was also questioned by the Department of State Services (DSS) over claims that the phone of Nuhu Ribadu had been tapped. The DSS later filed a three count charge against him for allegedly intercepting the NSA’s phone conversation.
He had earlier spent two nights at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after returning to Nigeria from Cairo on February 12.
In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly accused El-Rufai of diverting about N423 billion in public funds and recommended that anti corruption agencies investigate him.
El-Rufai challenges ICPC actions
The former Bureau of Public Procurement director general has filed a lawsuit against the ICPC over what he described as an unlawful raid on his Abuja residence.
In the suit, he argued that the search and seizure carried out by operatives of the ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force violated his fundamental rights, including his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy.
El-Rufai is seeking a court declaration that any evidence obtained during the search should not be used against him. He also demanded one billion naira as damages, citing alleged trespass, unlawful seizure, psychological trauma and reputational damage.
Threat of further legal action
The former governor has also accused the ICPC of defamation and forgery and has threatened to initiate a separate legal action against the agency.
In a pre action notice, his lawyers alleged that the anti corruption commission issued a defamatory statement and relied on forged documents in relation to his arrest and detention.
Members of his family have called for his immediate and unconditional release, arguing that his continued detention lacks legal justification.
El-Rufai insists the investigation is politically driven, claiming he is being targeted because of his affiliation with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he described as the only surviving opposition party in Nigeria.
